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AmTrust Reports Second Quarter 2017 Net Income And Confidence In Long-Term Financial Strength

AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. (Nasdaq:AFSI) today announced second quarter 2017 net income attributable to common stockholders of $5.8 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, compared to $127.2 million, or $0.73 per diluted share in the second quarter 2016. For the second quarter 2017, operating earnings were $72.9 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, compared to $135.3 million, or $0.77 per diluted share, in the second quarter 2016.

Net income and operating earnings in the current quarter were impacted by catastrophe losses of $16.1 million after-tax, or $0.09 per diluted share, ($24.8 million pre-tax).

“We took transformative steps in the second quarter, executing on a number of strategic initiatives to increase certainty and confidence in AmTrust’s long-term financial strength, and appointing a new CFO,” said Barry Zyskind, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, AmTrust. “In particular, we enhanced our balance sheet and capital base through a $300 million equity investment by members of the Karfunkel family to further support our insurance business and organic growth opportunities. Our sale of approximately 86% of our equity position in National General simplifies our balance sheet and reduces concentration in our investment portfolio composition. The reinsurance agreement we entered provides up to $400 million of coverage for adverse net loss reserve development, in excess of our stated net loss reserves as of March 31, 2017, to insulate AmTrust from future reserve volatility. We undertook these actions with a long-term view for the Company and our shareholders, to demonstrate strength and stability to all of our partners, brokers, agents, and insureds, and to enhance our earnings consistency.”

Mr. Zyskind continued, “Our second quarter financial results reflect disciplined sales execution and high policy retention levels with gross written premium of $2.2 billion, up 6.1%. We are focused on maintaining underwriting and pricing rigor in our target markets, and are taking a conservative stance toward our book of business in order to support future profitability and balance sheet strength.”

Second Quarter 2017 Results

Total revenue was $1.6 billion, an increase of $0.2 billion, or 18.2%, from $1.4 billion in the second quarter 2016. Gross written premium was $2.2 billion, an increase of $0.1 billion, or 6.1%, from $2.1 billion in the second quarter 2016. Net written premium was $1.4 billion, an increase of $0.1 billion, or 8.2%, compared to $1.3 billion in the second quarter 2016. Net earned premium was $1.4 billion, an increase of $0.2 billion, or 16.8%, from $1.2 billion in the second quarter 2016. The combined ratio was 101.2%, compared to 91.3% in second quarter 2016, and the adjusted combined ratio was 95.9%, after giving effect to the adverse development cover.

Year-to-Date 2017 Results

Total revenue was $3.1 billion, an increase of $0.4 billion, or 16.0%, from $2.6 billion YTD 2016. Gross written premium was $4.5 billion, an increase of $459.8 million, or 11.5%, from $4.0 billion YTD 2016. Net written premium was $2.7 billion, an increase of $0.2 billion, or 9.1%, compared to $2.5 billion YTD 2016. Net earned premium was $2.6 billion, an increase of $347.2 million, or 15.4%, from $2.3 billion YTD 2016. The combined ratio was 98.6% compared to 91.6% YTD 2016. The adjusted combined ratio was 95.8% compared to 91.6% YTD 2016.

A summary of Q2 results is listed below along with a link to the earnings release.

Financial Highlights

Second Quarter 2017 Highlights

• Second quarter gross written premium of $2.2 billion and net earned premium of $1.4 billion, up 6.1% and 16.8%, respectively, from the second quarter 2016
• Second quarter service and fee income of $168.4 million, up 35.5% from the second quarter of 2016
• Second quarter net income attributable to common stockholders of $5.8 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, compared to $127.2 million, or $0.73 per diluted share, in the second quarter 2016
• Second quarter operating earnings of $72.9 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, compared to $135.3 million, or $0.77 per diluted share, in the second quarter 2016
• Second quarter gain of $68.4 million on sale of 10.6 million shares of National General stock
• Second quarter loss ratio of 74.2% compared with 66.4% in the second quarter of 2016
• Second quarter loss ratio of 68.9% after giving effect to the adverse development cover
• Second quarter combined ratio of 101.2% compared with 91.3% in the second quarter 2016
• Adjusted combined ratio of 95.9%, after giving effect to the adverse development cover, versus 91.3% in the second quarter 2016
• Second quarter annualized return on common equity and annualized operating return on common equity of 0.9% and 11.4%, respectively
• Board of Directors approves payment of quarterly dividend on common stock of $0.17